Physician burnout in the U.S. has decreased from its peak during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, it remains significantly higher than burnout rates in the general workforce, according to a new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. The study, conducted by the American Medical Association (AMA), Mayo Clinic, Stanford Medicine, and the University of Colorado, tracks more than a decade of data and underscores the urgent need for continued action.
In 2023, 45.2% of U.S. physicians reported symptoms of burnout, down from 62.8% in 2021, the height of the pandemic. While this marks progress, the rate is still alarmingly high, especially compared to the broader U.S. workforce.
“The ebbing rate of physician burnout is a welcome result of the strides made since the COVID emergency,” said AMA President Bruce A. Scott, M.D. “But the demands on physicians remain unrelenting—and without systemic reform, we risk losing access to care through early retirements and worsening shortages.”
The AMA points to key culprits driving burnout:
- An outdated Medicare payment model
- Administrative burdens like prior authorization
- Inefficient technologies and workflows
- Systemic flaws that compromise both care quality and physician well-being
AMA’s Response Includes:
- Joy in Medicine™ Recognition Program – Honors organizations working to eliminate root causes of burnout.
- AMA STEPS Forward® – A toolkit for transforming practice environments and reducing stress.
- Organizational Biopsy® – Assesses burnout metrics to tailor interventions.
- American Conference on Physician Health™ – A national convening to share solutions and research.
- Debunking Regulatory Myths – Clarifies compliance issues to ease administrative load.
“Our goal is a healthcare system that supports physicians so they can provide the best care for patients,” Dr. Scott emphasized.
Despite progress, the AMA warns that reversing the physician burnout crisis requires coordinated action from policymakers, payers, and healthcare leaders to protect the future of medicine.
